Servicemember dies in rescue of doctor from Taliban

Dec. 9, 2012
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by Staff and wire reports, USA TODAY

by Staff and wire reports, USA TODAY

WASHINGTON - A U.S. service member was killed in Sunday's Special Operations rescue of an American doctor abducted five days earlier by the Taliban in eastern Afghanistan, the Pentagon said.

President Obama praised the mission and the American who was killed in action. He said the rescue was characteristic of U.S. troops' "extraordinary courage, skill and patriotism."

Dr. Dilip Joseph of Colorado Springs, Colo., was captured by Taliban insurgents Wednesday outside the Afghan capital, in the Sarobi district of Kabul province.

He was rescued in an early morning operation ordered after intelligence showed that the doctor was in imminent danger of injury or possible death, according to a statement from the U.S.-led military coalition in Kabul.

In a separate statement, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said the "fallen hero, and all of our special operators" represent the "highest ideals of citizenship, sacrifice and service." The service member was not identified.

Gen. John Allen, the top commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, said American and Afghan forces planned, rehearsed and successfully conducted the operation.

"Thanks to them, Dr. Joseph will soon be rejoining his family and loved ones," Allen said.

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